§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which buildings and premises(a) owned and (b) leased by his Department use (i) chlorofluorocarbons and (ii) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other energy needs; and if he will give details of such use and the reasons for it. [153012]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 9 March 2001]: This information is not held centrally in the form requested and will take a little time to compile. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent his Department's building in Whitehall uses hydrofluorocarbons for(a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons. [153014]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 9 March 2001]: As far as can be ascertained from our records, minimal use of hydrofluorocarbons is currently made in the operation of Main Building, Whitehall. Known uses include small scale refrigeration equipment, small air conditioning units and drinking water coolers. Only very small amounts of hydrofluorocarbons would have been purchased since 1995. We have no current plans to phase out the purchase or use of hydrofluorocarbons in Main Building. However, any use of hydrofluorocarbons in relating to operating the building will continue to follow the Government policy laid down in Climate Change the UK Programme (November 2000).
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of(a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other energy needs of buildings and premises (i) owned and (ii) leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [153013]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 9 March 2001]: It is the policy of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that hydrocarbons and other environmentally benign refrigerants will be routinely considered as replacements for ozone depleting substances both in existing and new refrigeration applications in MOD buildings and premises. These refrigerants will be utilised wherever they provide an acceptable solution in terms of safety, technical feasibility and efficiency.